PUTRAJAYA: There is a pressing need to transform the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), taking into consideration its importance for the country in facing the fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).
Chairman of TVET's Empowerment Committee Nurul Izzah Anwar said cooperation from all parties is needed not only to transform TVET but to ensure it becomes a choice that is equivalent or better than first degree or masters degree qualifications.
She said while it is undeniable that many do not consider TVET as an option of choice and it is difficult to change that perception, it is not something impossible.
According to her, TVET covers a wide scope and is full of potential, hence the involvement of students, especially the younger generation, is very important.
"To refine efforts towards empowering TVET, for the first phase, I will meet with relevant quarters including industry, private sector, institutions that are related to TVET and students in the next two months, to get feedback and suggestions on transformation efforts," she said, adding that this is to ensure TVET is highly regarded, the way it is in Germany.
"Not only is there a need for structural transformation, but perhaps we have to make some tough decisions to ensure TVET is demand-driven and industry-driven," she said after a meeting with Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran, today.
Meanwhile, Kulasegaran said the cooperation of seven ministries in implementing TVET that was done by the previous government must be streamlined to avoid any overlap, apart from saving cost.
"We spend close to RM4.5 billion on TVET training every year and seven ministries manage this, we need to ensure it is streamlined.
"Most TVET have only 70% student capacity," he said, adding that many are still not interested to take it up which is the reason why a transformation is required.